Billy Hamilton ready to take over centerfield
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Billy Hamilton played in just 13 major league games last season for the Cincinnati Reds, but in those few games, Hamilton left his mark on the field.
Hamilton finished with a .368 batting average in his 19 at-bats in 2013 in September when rosters were expanded. But it wasn't his bat that he left his mark with … it was his base-running abilities.
The speed of Hamilton was unforgettable last year. In his MLB debut, he stole a base off St. Louis Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina.
[[In-content Ad]]"My debut was a night to remember," Hamilton told The Highland County Press. "That's something you dream of, your first time in the big leagues, versus the best catcher in the big leagues (Molina). It's just something you don't see happen that often. That was a big night and just a big blessing for me."
Against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hamilton raced around the bases from second to home off a single by Todd Frazier that won the game, 4-3 in 10 innings. Before the hit by Frazier, Hamilton had already stole second base. Hamilton said that was another big moment from last season.
"I know the Dodgers are a good team, and I've got a bunch of friends over there with the Dodgers," Hamilton said. "For me to have that game and play with those guys was good.
"I came in the game knowing my situation, knowing what I had to do, knowing what inning I was in. I came through, and Frazier came through with a big hit. I kind of got a little nervous with (Yasiel) Puig because has one of the best arms in baseball. I'm on second base and a base hit to him, knowing what I was up against … It was kind of fun."
Besides the big moments on the bases, Hamilton said it was good to just finally make it to the Majors last season.
"I've been in the minor leagues, working my tail off and finally got that chance to prove myself, to show what I've been in the minor leagues working on," Hamilton said. "I just went out there and relaxed. I played my same game, and it worked out for me."
With Hamilton, when he steps onto the bases, everyone at Great American Ball Park or any other ball park around the Majors knows what he's going to be doing … stealing bases. The question for the opposition is can they stop him?
In 14 attempts in his 19 games played, Hamilton stole 13 bases, caught stealing just once. He had an on-base percentage of .429, including two doubles and one RBIs. He was walked twice.
"I'm out there for one reason, to do my job, and I came out on top," Hamilton said of stealing bases. "I took what I've been learning from the minor leagues, took it to the big leagues and it worked. My job is to make pitchers nervous, so I did well."
This spring training will be a whole difference experience for the 23-year old Hamilton as he's penciled in to be the starting centerfielder, replacing Shin-Soo Choo, who left as a free agent to sign with the Texas Rangers.
Last season, Hamilton knew he wasn't ready to be on the Reds' Opening Day roster. While playing for the Louisville Bats (the Reds' Triple-A affiliate), in the International League, Hamilton stole 75 bases.
In 123 games, he finished with a .256 batting average and .308 on-base percentage. For the 2012 season, while in Single-A and Double-A ball, Hamilton stole a combined 155 bases.
In 2011, Hamilton had 103 steals for the Dayton Dragons.
"It means a lot for me [to already have a spot on the roster]," he said. "Going into spring training and knowing you've got to work for a job, you can start thinking about it too much.
"Knowing that you've got the job, it's just a big relief. I can go in there and relax and play my game and have fun."
Improvement is on the mind of Hamilton with spring training a few weeks away.
"The main thing in spring training is for me to get better, for me to learn what's going to happen during the season," he said. "It's about getting better. It's about being around guys who know the game and learning from those guys.
"Spring training is always where you get better, and like I said, I'm looking forward to the spring training. Last year was a little different, knowing I wasn't going to get the job at all. This year's going to be better. I'm excited about it."
Hamilton finished with a .368 batting average in his 19 at-bats in 2013 in September when rosters were expanded. But it wasn't his bat that he left his mark with … it was his base-running abilities.
The speed of Hamilton was unforgettable last year. In his MLB debut, he stole a base off St. Louis Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina.
[[In-content Ad]]"My debut was a night to remember," Hamilton told The Highland County Press. "That's something you dream of, your first time in the big leagues, versus the best catcher in the big leagues (Molina). It's just something you don't see happen that often. That was a big night and just a big blessing for me."
Against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hamilton raced around the bases from second to home off a single by Todd Frazier that won the game, 4-3 in 10 innings. Before the hit by Frazier, Hamilton had already stole second base. Hamilton said that was another big moment from last season.
"I know the Dodgers are a good team, and I've got a bunch of friends over there with the Dodgers," Hamilton said. "For me to have that game and play with those guys was good.
"I came in the game knowing my situation, knowing what I had to do, knowing what inning I was in. I came through, and Frazier came through with a big hit. I kind of got a little nervous with (Yasiel) Puig because has one of the best arms in baseball. I'm on second base and a base hit to him, knowing what I was up against … It was kind of fun."
Besides the big moments on the bases, Hamilton said it was good to just finally make it to the Majors last season.
"I've been in the minor leagues, working my tail off and finally got that chance to prove myself, to show what I've been in the minor leagues working on," Hamilton said. "I just went out there and relaxed. I played my same game, and it worked out for me."
With Hamilton, when he steps onto the bases, everyone at Great American Ball Park or any other ball park around the Majors knows what he's going to be doing … stealing bases. The question for the opposition is can they stop him?
In 14 attempts in his 19 games played, Hamilton stole 13 bases, caught stealing just once. He had an on-base percentage of .429, including two doubles and one RBIs. He was walked twice.
"I'm out there for one reason, to do my job, and I came out on top," Hamilton said of stealing bases. "I took what I've been learning from the minor leagues, took it to the big leagues and it worked. My job is to make pitchers nervous, so I did well."
This spring training will be a whole difference experience for the 23-year old Hamilton as he's penciled in to be the starting centerfielder, replacing Shin-Soo Choo, who left as a free agent to sign with the Texas Rangers.
Last season, Hamilton knew he wasn't ready to be on the Reds' Opening Day roster. While playing for the Louisville Bats (the Reds' Triple-A affiliate), in the International League, Hamilton stole 75 bases.
In 123 games, he finished with a .256 batting average and .308 on-base percentage. For the 2012 season, while in Single-A and Double-A ball, Hamilton stole a combined 155 bases.
In 2011, Hamilton had 103 steals for the Dayton Dragons.
"It means a lot for me [to already have a spot on the roster]," he said. "Going into spring training and knowing you've got to work for a job, you can start thinking about it too much.
"Knowing that you've got the job, it's just a big relief. I can go in there and relax and play my game and have fun."
Improvement is on the mind of Hamilton with spring training a few weeks away.
"The main thing in spring training is for me to get better, for me to learn what's going to happen during the season," he said. "It's about getting better. It's about being around guys who know the game and learning from those guys.
"Spring training is always where you get better, and like I said, I'm looking forward to the spring training. Last year was a little different, knowing I wasn't going to get the job at all. This year's going to be better. I'm excited about it."